Julie Jackson, Misty Nunley, Rebeika Powell and Kayetie Powell-Melchor
James Poore, left, and brother Cedric Poore, right
Hearing resumes in Fairmont Terrace killings
A preliminary hearing resumed Monday in Tulsa District Court for two brothers accused in the execution-style shootings of four women killed in an apartment at Fairmont Terrace.
The hearing for brothers James Poore, 32, and Cedric Poore, 39, was continued from July, when four prosecution witnesses testified during three days.
During the July testimony, Special Judge Stephen Clark expressed frustration with the pace, as defense attorneys repeatedly lodged objections and clashed with prosecutors.
The hearing began Monday with more than an hour of argument by defense attorney John Echols, who represents Cedric Poore, over various issues. The hearing is expected to last several days.
Echols asked the judge to order documents unsealed regarding a hearing in May during which prosecutors apparently granted immunity to a witness.
The witness, Jamila Jones, had made statements during the investigation that "made her part and parcel to a murder," Echols claimed.
Clark denied the motion, saying the judge who ordered the documents sealed should hear it.
Echols also complained that city officials were interfering with his attempts to talk to police officers and that prosecutors had not turned over current addresses for some witnesses.
First Assistant District Attorney Doug Drummond said many of the witnesses were "transient" and that the issue had also caused problems for prosecutors.
Clark either overruled or deferred Echols' motions, saying they could be considered at a later time.
The Poore brothers are each charged with four counts of first-degree murder. The homicides occurred Jan. 7 in an apartment at the Fairmont Terrace complex near 61st Street and Peoria Avenue.
Killed were Julie Jackson, 55; Misty Nunley, 33; Rebeika Powell, 23; and Kayetie Powell Melchor, 23. District Attorney Tim Harris has not announced whether he will seek the death penalty in the case. That decision is usually made following the conclusion of a preliminary hearing.
Attorney Kathy Fry is representing James Poore.
Four witnesses have testified so far in the hearing, which will determine whether the brothers will be held for trial.
According to arrest reports and witness testimony, the men told witnesses they were “going to pull a lick” — a robbery — at Powell’s apartment. Cedric Poore was armed with a .40-caliber pistol, according to police.
A neighbor testified in July about finding the four women bound and shot in a bedroom of the apartment where Nunley lived with Rebeika Powell and Kayetie Powell Melchor, who are sisters. Jackson was a neighbor who had apparently gone to check on the women.
Casey Poore, Cedric Poore’s wife, testified that James Poore told her he shot the women because he feared they could identify him.
Officials have said drugs and money were stolen during the robbery.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/article.as...81844?subj=298
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